Chapter 2: Warm-up
The next morning was weird, to say the least. Alien ceiling, the sun didn't shine as it was used to. Dressing up was quite a challenge too as the suit was hard to get into, not because it was tight or anything but she wasn't experienced clothing that had a pants and arm section. So far she only wore skirts, dresses and tops. Except for the tribal clothing, of course.
As she finished dressing up, she went to the dining hall, which she saw only briefly the day before. It wasn't big, yet it could easily fit around a hundred people. It even had an area specifically designed for extra-species.
She grabbed a large metal plate and got to the window. The girl working there looked at her a bit confused and asked a question.
- Sorry if I'm rude but are you new here? I haven't seen you before.
- Um, yes, I'm new here. I was hired by Mrs. Colt to be in her team. My name is Flare. Nice to meet you.
- Nice to meet you too. I'm Katie. What do you want for breakfast?
- Well, do you have anything meat related?
- We have bacon and eggs if you're into that sort of stuff.
- Then I'll have that.
- Understood. Your point card, please.
- My what?
- Here it is.
It was Mrs. Colt who gave Katie the card. The girl scanned it and then proceeded with the order.
- I forgot to give this to you yesterday. Let's have a chat, shall we?
The food was ready and after Flare took it they sat down to one of the tables. The harpy began to eat but felt a bit awkward.
- Mrs. Colt.
- Yes?
- Could you talk about this point card thing?
- Oh, yeah, forgot about that one. We introduced a credit system, so we can easier distribute the services between members. After a mission you get credits which are transferred to this card. You can get about a hundred points each month, plus, because you are an extra-species, you get 25 as a bonus. Most of the vending machines as well as the kitchen service use it.
- Thanks for the explanation. What is our schedule for today?
- Only two things. First off, I'll introduce you to the rest of the team. Then we'll have a training to get us a bit closer to each other, at least combat-wise.
- Understood.
Flare finished her breakfast then followed Mrs. Colt to the training area she had already been to.
There were three extra-species girls in the arena and as Colt asked for their attention, they got closer.
- Let me introduce you to each other. Meet Flare Fenichs, the last member of our team. She will be our scout and medic.
- A harpy? Are you sure about that Andrea?
- Don't worry Alicia, she is pretty capable.
- Then let me ask you something, Flare. What was the last thing you talked about?
- Today's schedule. Why?
- So you're no ordinary harpy then. In that case, welcome in the team. I'm Alicia Aranea, an arachne, as you can already tell.
- Then I'll introduce the others. The heavyweight centauress on the right is Ceris Centa and the yuki onna next to her is Selena Flake. Alicia is the shadow agent, Ceris is the brawler and Selena is the saboteur.
Everything seemed logical. Alicia spied on the enemy, Ceris did the close combat part and Selena made them freeze or slip, literally. Of course there was Flare to scout out the targets first and to apply medical aid if possible.
The training seemed pretty easy. they had to simulate a hostage situation, which happened a couple days earlier in Japan. They had to rescue the hostages while eliminating the orcs in the building.
It was a small shop with large windows, making everything easily visible to Flare There were ten hostages and five targets. The inner side of the storage was open and Alicia went for it. She opened the lock in no time with her slender, chitin covered fingers then proceeded to the shop itself.
While she was freeing the hostages and escorting them to the storage area Selena laid down a mist curtain, making visibility almost zero.
Lastly came Ceris, who knocked the orcs clean out. She could see in the mist thanks to Selena's filtering ability.
The simulated mission was absolute success. No hostages or M.O.N. members were harmed and they finished in less than 15 minutes.
- Good job everyone! You have the rest of the day off but don't forget to wake up early tomorrow!
- Why? – Ceris asked.
- We are going to have a training session with the London Police's 1st division.
- That sounds interesting!
- Everyone is dismissed!
The group went to the lockers and got changed.
They were discussing what to do next and decided to go for a walk. Flare wore a white dress, Ceris a light armor with a short sword, Selena had a white tracksuit on and Alicia wore a black T-shirt.
The group caused a smaller commotion as there were two large extra-species in it. What caused a bigger commotion was the loud howling and crying coming from Trafalgar square. When the girls got closer they saw a child with pale skin, white clothes and black hair. She was the source of the noise and it was unbearable for those standing close to the girl.
- What is this? – Selena asked.
- A young banshee as it seems. – Flare replied.
- Young? How do you know that?
- If she would be an adult everyone in the area would already be deaf.
- How could we calm her down?
- I've got an idea. Wait here.
Flare took off and landed near to the girl. She got a pair of earplugs out of her bag, put them in and kneeled down in front of the banshee. Her mouth moved but because of the crying, nothing could be heard. The girl looked up and started to calm down. As the cries decreased to a louder weeping, the harpy's voice became louder and louder. She was singing.
- …ofni, dim ond deilen
Gura, gura ar y ddôr;
Paid ag ofni, ton fach unig
Sua, sua ar lan y môr…
By the time she stopped, the girl did stop crying too.
- Why were you crying?
- I can't find my mommy.
- I'm sure she will be here any time.
As if it was magic, a woman with pale skin, black hair and wearing a green dress ran to the child.
- Gael! I was so worried? What were you doing here?
- I started chasing the birdies and I didn't see you and I cried and this lady birdie came and started singing something nice to me. I don't know what it was but it was so nice mommy!
- Thank you for calming down my daughter. What did you sing to her?
- Excuse me for a moment. – Flare got the earplugs out. – Would you mind saying it again?
- No problem at all, I completely understand. What did you sing to my daughter?
- Suo Gân, a Welsh lullaby I learned from one of my patients back in Swansea. She used to sing this to her daughter while I examined her.
- Was she of Welsh origin?
- She was a Welsh born draugen, so you could say that.
- And you're a doctor?
- Well… I don't have a degree but I have studied medicine for a long time. When I was with my flock, I learned from our shamaness. I had a small office back in Wales.
- That's quite the job for a harpy. I hope we meet again sometime. Have a nice evening!
- Bye-bye lady birdie!
- Bye!
Flare got back to the others. They looked at the harpy in awe. The first one to speak was Ceris.
- What did I just see?
- Nothing major, just me practicing social skills.
It was Alicia's turn now.
- I think she wants to know how you made that banshee shut up. They say that it's extremely difficult, especially at her age.
- You don't know what kind words and a smile can do.
Alicia went silent. They decided to end the day with this and returned to the M.O.N headquarters.